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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Schmazz @ the JazzCafé presents Riff Raff – March 31.

Brigitte Beraha (vocals); George Crowley (sax); Rob Updegraff (guitar); Ivo Neame (keyboards, accordion); Dave Manington (bass); Tim Giles (drums)
(Review by Steve H/ Photos courtesy of Ken Drew)
Finally, after attending several fairly non challenging gigs, one to excite the musical taste buds. Any technically gifted jazz musician can knock out SummertimeMy Funny Valentine and even Fog on the Tyne to a standard where audience members can take comfort in recognising familiar territory, enjoying a classic tune whilst appreciating the skilled improvisation. Don’t get me wrong The Great American Song Book has stood the test of time and great songs don’t just roll off the conveyor belt every 50 years or so but too much GAS can lead to a lot of hot air. Personally, nothing beats the excitement of hearing brand new sounds. The tune around the corner may not be as good as the old classic but the element of surprise more than makes up for this.
David Manington’s Riff Raff gave an exhilarating and original performance to a packed house in the upstairs room at the Jazz Café on Tuesday night. All members of the sextet perform as a unit rather than individual soloists to create a group dynamic. Brigitte Beraha’s improvised wordless vocals harmonizing perfectly with George Crowley’s sax was very impressive indeed.  The standout pieces of the first set were  Bjork’s Anchor Time (the only non Manington composed piece), The Iliad, which had a bit of everything in it and What shall I Have With My Gravy? which fortunately didn't.
At the interval all seemed very positive awaiting the second set with eager anticipation. We were not disappointed as things just got better and better. It began with Water Torture which was not at all unpleasant. The next two numbers were for me the highlight of the evening and both featured Ivo Neame on accordion to add a further dimension. Danger Pig named after Manington’s young son’s super hero alter ego really hit a groove and this was followed by Crisps With That? a Balkan inspired folksy piece. This segued into a ballad.  Willow Tree with Berha singing actual lyrics to the tune. The final number Hullabaloo  the title track of Riff Raff album was a rip roaring scorcher featuring a right rocky solo from guitarist Rob Updegraff. An encore was demanded and Catch Me the Moon was delivered, Beraha’s vocals again containing actual words, a slight anti-climax maybe after what had just gone before. All in all a fabulous example of  contemporary original Jazz and both the size and diversity of the audience  on the most inclement of nights shows that there is a fine appetite for this sort of fare in Newcastle .
Steve H.



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